I submitted this to Obama today... [View All]

[FirstLight]

Dear President –Elect Obama & staff –
I have several pressing issues, but the one that seems to get in the way of my forward motion to succeed is completing my education. I need to know if the service program will help me get back to school & complete my degree.
I am 38 years old and went to school in my early 20’s as a single mom of one, while on the welfare to work program. I graduated but was never able to get to a university because the fear of how to raise a kid in a different city all alone was too much for me. I got remarried at 30 and was hoping to complete my education someday… (then I ended up running for my life with 2 more kids and an ex who is now in prison...)
My Student loan is currently in default and I have not made more than 15k in the past 5 years or more. Last year I made less than 8K!!! My loan went into default during my last marriage while I was fighting for my life and that of my children.
There is no way for me to file a “special circumstance” with the Dept of Education as a victim of Domestic Violence, and there is no way for me to go back to school and finish my degree – because the default also makes me ineligible for Pell Grants, and other assistance. Therefore, my ability to HAVE a career and create a life OUT of poverty for my children is nil.
ALL of my Earned Income Credits, Refunds and Economic Stimulus monies have been grabbed by the Student Loan Dept…when that money would help us get out of the HOLE we are living in constantly.
I have a section 8 voucher and am on the Family Self Sufficiently program, but my forward progress is stalled because of my inability to complete my education and get a career going. I have interests in healthcare, education and journalism. I have lots of life experience and have continued to try to struggle up this insurmountable hill to make things better for my family. I love education and would love to offer my talents as a teacher someday, but these goals seem lofty when I can’t even afford to pay full rent on a place for us to live.
How do I get back into school? If I sign up for a service-education program, can my student loan be deferred for a year or two so I can actually get to a point that I am making enough to pay it off? I was conned into the loan in my early college years, being told “by the time you graduate, you’ll be making more than enough to pay this off”. Problem is - I can’t graduate!
Please tell me how the new programs will make me able to get my education back on track. I would be willing to work for the State or Govt, if there was some way it would help this endeavor.
Sincerely – in HOPE
L....

Let's see if there is SOME way i can get back to school, otherwise i am just screwed for life.
Honestly, at this point, i am desperate, i may just end up applying for a job with obama's staff...HA! like that would happen!